FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE=20
Contacts: CommerceNet (U.S.) Loel McPhee 408-446-1260 (ext. 219)
CommerceNet (U.K.) Paul Bessant 44-171-916-2875
Nielsen Media Research: Rich Coyle 212-708-7778=20
Ecommerce Survey Shows 27% of British Adults Now Use
the Internet on a Regular Basis
London, October 27, 1999 -- CommerceNet, the world's largest ecommerce
Consortium and Nielsen Media Research, one of the leading media research
organisations in the world, today launch the first in a series of in-depth
studies into the Internet habits of British adults. The CommerceNet/Nielsen
Internet and Ecommerce Survey (UK), with a sample of 4,700 respondents,
examined who is using the Internet, what for, how long and how much they
are spending.=20
The research, sponsored by US Web/CKS, Microsoft, Magex and iCat (a
division of Intel), found that of the 46 million adult residents in the UK,
12.5 million, or 27% of the population, have used the Internet in the past
month. Of these, 44% log on every day, 38% are women and 11% are over 50
years old.
The CommerceNet/Nielsen Media Research study also asked those with Internet
access how they use the Internet. The following describe user activity:=20
=B7 72% use the Web for work-related activity
=B7 69% use the Web to research travel destinations
=B7 60% use the Web to check sports and entertainment news
=B7 52% use the Web for international news
=B7 40% use the Web to access information about the local community
=B7 27% have purchased goods online whereas 49% have used the Web to compare
the price of goods and services.
(Continued . . .)
"The CommerceNet/Nielsen surveys provide British Business with important
information tools for ensuring they have the opportunity to place the UK at
the forefront of global Ecommerce activity," said Patricia Hewitt, Minister
for Small Business and Ecommerce.=20
"This is the first research to benchmark the UK's Internet buying and
ecommerce habits, and has thrown up some surprising results. The fact that
27% of the UK population is now online will send an encouraging message to
all those involved in building ecommerce businesses," commented Neil Ellul,
Managing Director, CommerceNet (UK). "However, we also found that 1.6
million people have still not even heard of the Internet. Obviously, still
more work needs to be done in terms of education and awareness if companies
are to truly exploit the Internet as a medium for doing business."
"Information from this study is key to helping decision makers take
advantage of the Internet for business. The Internet is a global
phenomenon, and our new study of users in the UK will help business leaders
and researchers understand its growth in a pivotal marketplace," said Mark
Resch, Executive Vice President, CommerceNet. "Our goal is to conduct
these studies in major markets around the world to provide sound,
population projectable insight into the Internet's development."
"The Internet users' demographic profile in the UK today is very similar to
that of North America two years ago," said Jerome Samson, Director of
Technology and Business Strategy at Nielsen Media Research. "UK Internet
users, however, are embracing ecommerce much more rapidly than users in
North America did in 1997. Online consumers in the UK today are reaping the
benefits of a more mature industry and seem to face a faster learning
curve. This level of ecommerce adoption is extremely encouraging for its
development worldwide."
Definitions and Methodology
Internet users, unless otherwise noted, are defined as persons of age 16
and over having used the Internet at least once in the month that preceded
the interview, and still having access to it at the time of interview. A
Web shopper is someone who has used the Web to compare the price and
features of products or services, whether their shopping led to a purchase
or not. A Web buyer is someone who has used the Web to purchase something
directly online.=20
Interviews were completed in September 1999 with a statistically
representative sample of over 4,700 persons of age 16 and over in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This random sample represents 46
million persons living in the United Kingdom. CommerceNet and Nielsen Media
Research designed a questionnaire, adopted methodological techniques and
developed definitions similar to the ones employed in the past five years
to measure Internet penetration in North America, making it possible for
researchers, publishers and marketers to compare detailed estimates across
countries for the first time.=20
Results Availability
The CommerceNet/Nielsen Internet and Ecommerce Survey (UK) Autumn
Demographic Report is available to buy from Tuesday 26 October, 1999.
Prices start at =A32,995 (+VAT) including Basic Level access to GIDEON (see
below). To order, go to http://www.commercenet.org.uk or telephone Paul
Bessant, Membership Services Manager, CommerceNet Consortium Ltd, +44 171
916 2875.=20
About GIDEON
The Gateway to Internet DEmographics ONline, GIDEON, is a powerful
Web-based application that puts comprehensive and current demographic UK
and US information about the Internet population at your fingertips. You
can test drive it at http://www.commercenet.org.uk=20
(Continued . . .)
About CommerceNet
CommerceNet is an international non-profit organisation set-up to promote
the growth of business on the Internet by creating and managing tangible
opportunities for its Consortium Members. Since launching in 1994 the
organisation has grown into the World's largest Internet commerce
association with over 600 Member companies in 22 countries. Members include
leading financial organisations, telecommunications companies, Internet
service providers, software and services companies and major end-users.
About Nielsen Research Media
Nielsen Media Research is the leading provider of television audience
measurement and related services in the United States and Canada. Its
services provide audience estimates for all national program sources,
including broadcast networks, cable networks, Spanish language television,
and national syndicators. Local ratings services estimate audiences for
each of the 210 television markets in the U.S., including electronic
metered service in 47 markets. Nielsen Media Research provides competitive
advertising intelligence information through Nielsen Monitor-Plus, and
Internet usage and advertising information through Nielsen//NetRatings.
Additional information is available at http://www.nielsenmedia.com
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) seeks to transform businesses in the digital
economy and create sustainable market leadership for its clients. As a
leading Internet professional services firm, USWeb/CKS has created a new
standard for success in the digital economy: Time-to-Value. Time-to-Value
means USWeb/CKS applies its extensive insight, experience and scale to
deliver breakthrough results quickly. The Company is headquartered in San
Francisco, California, with more than 3,800 professionals in over 50
locations worldwide. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available at
http://www.uswebcks.com
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day.=20
About Magex
Magex is a digital commerce service developed by NatWest to create a secure
and efficient environment for the trading of digital content on the
Internet. The Magex technology addresses many of the security and payment
problems surrounding digital distribution, enabling fast, safe and easy Web
transactions. Created by NatWest Bank and incorporating Digital Rights
Management from US partner, InterTrust Technologies Corporation, Magex
delivers the persistent protection of copyright products such as, music
information and games in any format alongside a simple, trusted payment
process. Because businesses can now offer their best products for download
with confidence their customers will appreciate the broader, richer choice
on offer. Consumers and content providers can find more details and
register their interest at the Magex website http://www.magex.com. Magex -
liberating the digital economy
About iCat (a division of Intel)
iCat provides small and mid-sized businesses worldwide with the
information, technology, marketing services and personalised support they
need to sell products online and to be successful in ecommerce. In addition
to the iCat Ecommerce Provider Program, iCat offers an Affiliate Program
that allows profit sharing with Web Sites that refer customers to iCat. For
more information, visit the iCat Web site at http://www.icat.com
# # #